The Best Floral Perfumes Are More Unique Than You Think
Love 'em or hate 'em, floral perfumes are arguably the most popular fragrance category—and one of the most diverse, according to certified fragrance specialist Eudora Nwasike. That's right, you don't have to opt for something super-sweet or hyper-femme when choosing a floral scent. Blossoming flowers in all variations serve as a versatile base, contrasting and blending numerous notes—from fresh citrus to woody spice—for a scent profile that's far more unique.
'Floral scents just aren't for me,' I've proclaimed countless times, with a raging individualist complex that led me to dislike anything other than hyper-moody, and spice-forward fragrances. Little did I know, florals could be sensual and mysterious, too. It was Merit's Retrospect that turned me into a believer, thanks to senior beauty writer Kiana Murden who encouraged me to try a spritz from the sculptural bottle displayed with reverence on her desk. Senior fashion writer Cortne Bonilla shared in my same scent trepidations, telling me amidst one of our many office yapping sessions, 'I'm not a sweet, floral type of gal—this coordinates with my wardrobe, as well. I prefer a little spice, a little steam.' Color us shocked when we learned that her signature scent, Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540, is, in fact, a floral variation.
Below, discover Vogue's 11 favorite unique floral perfumes to sport this spring and summer, with options for every mood, personality, and carefully curated aesthetic.
Best Newcomer: Chanel Chance Eau Splendide
Photo: Chanel
Why We Love It : Nordstrom's beauty director Autumne West predicts Chanel's latest fragrance launch as one of the most popular scents of this summer. Crafted by perfumer Olivier Polge, Chance Eau Splendide offers crisp fruity notes thanks to raspberry accord. As the scent dries down, blossoming roses and violets are revealed, contrasted by a woody musk. The result? Playful, fresh, but by no means adolescent.
: Nordstrom's beauty director Autumne West predicts Chanel's latest fragrance launch as one of the most popular scents of this summer. Crafted by perfumer Olivier Polge, Chance Eau Splendide offers crisp fruity notes thanks to raspberry accord. As the scent dries down, blossoming roses and violets are revealed, contrasted by a woody musk. The result? Playful, fresh, but by no means adolescent. Key Notes: Raspberry accord, rose geranium, violet, white cedar, musk accord
Best Moody Rose: Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Parfum Spray
Photo: Frédéric Malle
Why We Love It : Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady is a moody interpretation of a rose scent. 'One of my personal favourite floral fragrances, this scent announces my presence the moment I enter a room. It's majestic blend of rose, incense, and patchouli creates an aroma that is charming, bold, and undeniably sexy. It's the perfect floral for those who are fearless and assertive,' Nwasike tells Vogue.
: Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady is a moody interpretation of a rose scent. 'One of my personal favourite floral fragrances, this scent announces my presence the moment I enter a room. It's majestic blend of rose, incense, and patchouli creates an aroma that is charming, bold, and undeniably sexy. It's the perfect floral for those who are fearless and assertive,' Nwasike tells Vogue. Key Notes: Turkish rose, black currant, naseberry, clove, patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense
Best Smokey Jasmine: Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum
Photo: Diptyque
Why We Love It : Diptyque's bestselling fragrance is an ode to Paris in the '60s. Titled after a local jazz bar of the same name, the Orphéon was filled with interesting creatives and this is an olfactory portrait of the legendary location. The woody fragrance evokes feelings of being immersed in a dimly lit bar lined with burnished dark wooden tables and plush velvet seating. Plus, it's an absolute favourite of Fragrance Foundation Linda Levy and her husband—both known to frequently sport this scent on dates.
: Diptyque's bestselling fragrance is an ode to Paris in the '60s. Titled after a local jazz bar of the same name, the Orphéon was filled with interesting creatives and this is an olfactory portrait of the legendary location. The woody fragrance evokes feelings of being immersed in a dimly lit bar lined with burnished dark wooden tables and plush velvet seating. Plus, it's an absolute favourite of Fragrance Foundation Linda Levy and her husband—both known to frequently sport this scent on dates. Key Notes: Juniper berry, cedarwood, tonka bean, jasmine
Best Spicy Rose: Matiere Premiere Radical Rose Eau de Parfum
Photo: Matiere Premiere
Why We Love It : This Matière Premier's perfume is a spice-forward floral scent that's anything but classic and sweet. 'Radical Rose is a dark, sultry rose fragrance featuring rich notes of saffron, patchouli, and pepper. It boasts incredible longevity—lasting up to 12 hours—and leaves behind the most intoxicating scent trail,' says Nwasike.
: This Matière Premier's perfume is a spice-forward floral scent that's anything but classic and sweet. 'Radical Rose is a dark, sultry rose fragrance featuring rich notes of saffron, patchouli, and pepper. It boasts incredible longevity—lasting up to 12 hours—and leaves behind the most intoxicating scent trail,' says Nwasike. Key Notes: Chili pepper berries, saffron, rose centifolia absolute, patchouli
The Editors' Pick: Merit Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum
Photo: Merit
Why We Love It : Soft, clean, highly concentrated, and oh so chic are the immediate words that come to mind when describing Merit's inaugural fragrance, Retrospect. Upon launching this past October, it became an immediate favourite of many Vogue editors. Walking along the open concept office of Vogue HQ at 1 World Trade Center will reveal several Merit perfume bottles at the ready for spritzing. Subtle white florals are blended here with a nuanced base of musk, vanilla, and moss for a second skin sent that boasts up to 12 hours of wear.
: Soft, clean, highly concentrated, and oh so chic are the immediate words that come to mind when describing Merit's inaugural fragrance, Retrospect. Upon launching this past October, it became an immediate favourite of many Vogue editors. Walking along the open concept office of Vogue HQ at 1 World Trade Center will reveal several Merit perfume bottles at the ready for spritzing. Subtle white florals are blended here with a nuanced base of musk, vanilla, and moss for a second skin sent that boasts up to 12 hours of wear. Key Notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss
Best Skin Scent Enhancer: Glossier You Fleur
Photo: Glossier
Why We Love It : The fourth instalment of Glossier's You fragrance portfolio, You Fleur, maintains the same skin scent enhancer promise with a warm, musky base—though this one takes on a floral twist. Mineral salt accord balances with a bouquet of osmanthus and ylang ylang. To keep things from getting too sweet, apricot skin and cashmeran level out the scent, which dries down to something more resinous.
: The fourth instalment of Glossier's You fragrance portfolio, You Fleur, maintains the same skin scent enhancer promise with a warm, musky base—though this one takes on a floral twist. Mineral salt accord balances with a bouquet of osmanthus and ylang ylang. To keep things from getting too sweet, apricot skin and cashmeran level out the scent, which dries down to something more resinous. Key Notes: Mineral salt accord, osmanthus, ylang ylang, apricot skin, cashmeran, ambrox
Best Sexy Floral: Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose For Her Eau de Parfum
Photo: Narciso Rodriguez
Why We Love It : 'Musc Noir by Narciso Rodriguez is a fabulous sexy floral,' Levy previously told Vogue. Think of it as a deeper interpretation of the original For Her fragrance by Rodriguez, with a more sensual edge. The fragrance opens with a burst of rich plum, blending into an array of pink pepper, bergamont, and soft rose. Vogue's senior beauty writer Kiana Murden considers it one of her go-tos.
: 'Musc Noir by Narciso Rodriguez is a fabulous sexy floral,' Levy previously told Vogue. Think of it as a deeper interpretation of the original For Her fragrance by Rodriguez, with a more sensual edge. The fragrance opens with a burst of rich plum, blending into an array of pink pepper, bergamont, and soft rose. Vogue's senior beauty writer Kiana Murden considers it one of her go-tos. Key Notes: Plum, pink pepper, bergamot, musk, rose, tuberose, vanilla
Best Earthy Lavender: Jo Malone London Amber and Lavender Cologne
Photo: Jo Malone London
Why We Love It : What you see is quite literally what you get with Jo Malone London fragrances—simple and to the point. There's no decoding the meaning behind each fragrance's name, let alone second guessing the scent profile. Case in point: This resinous fragrance blends French lavender with the aromatic warmth of earthy myrrh.
: What you see is quite literally what you get with Jo Malone London fragrances—simple and to the point. There's no decoding the meaning behind each fragrance's name, let alone second guessing the scent profile. Case in point: This resinous fragrance blends French lavender with the aromatic warmth of earthy myrrh. Key Notes: French lavender, petitgrain, myrrh
Best Etherial: Parfums de Marly Valaya Eau de Parfum
Photo: Parfums de Marly
Why We Love It : Described as cloud-like and etherial, Nwasike asserts that Valaya smells like heaven on earth. 'This floral-fruity composition opens with a sweet, bright burst of peach, aldehydes, and bergamot. Soon after, soft white florals bloom against a backdrop of musk, creating a clean, satin-like sensation on the skin. It's a versatile fragrance that feels joyful—and signature scent-worthy,' she says.
: Described as cloud-like and etherial, Nwasike asserts that Valaya smells like heaven on earth. 'This floral-fruity composition opens with a sweet, bright burst of peach, aldehydes, and bergamot. Soon after, soft white florals bloom against a backdrop of musk, creating a clean, satin-like sensation on the skin. It's a versatile fragrance that feels joyful—and signature scent-worthy,' she says. Key Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nymphaea, vetiver, musk
Best Leathery Floral: Phlur Rose Whip
Photo: Phlur
Why We Love It : Opposites attract in Phlur's latest fragrance launch—at the top of the scent profile, a leathery, resinous base contrasts with velvety rose and sweet black currant. While the scent bounds in with an initial boldness, it dries down to something more subtle with gentle musk and osmanthus.
: Opposites attract in Phlur's latest fragrance launch—at the top of the scent profile, a leathery, resinous base contrasts with velvety rose and sweet black currant. While the scent bounds in with an initial boldness, it dries down to something more subtle with gentle musk and osmanthus. Key Notes: Pink pepper, black currant, rose, osmanthus, nutmeg, amber, cashmere wood, musk
Best Oud: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Extrait de Parfum
Photo: Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Why We Love It : Another Extrait De Parfum—i.e., a super-long-lasting and intense scent—Oud Satin Mood evokes woody, aromatic, and resinous scents. Nwasike describes it as 'an elegant, sweet, jammy rose paired with powdery violet and a soft touch of oud for depth and sensuality. Look no further if you're searching for a floral fragrance with phenomenal staying power.'
: Another Extrait De Parfum—i.e., a super-long-lasting and intense scent—Oud Satin Mood evokes woody, aromatic, and resinous scents. Nwasike describes it as 'an elegant, sweet, jammy rose paired with powdery violet and a soft touch of oud for depth and sensuality. Look no further if you're searching for a floral fragrance with phenomenal staying power.' Key Notes: Violet accord, geranium, rose oil, cinnamon, rose absolute, oud, benzoin, vanilla
Everything You Need to Know
What scents pair well with florals for a more unique twist?
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'If you want to avoid a classic, overly sweet or feminine florals, several note families pair well for depth, edge, and contrast,' says Nwasike. Below, she breaks down common note families, to help decipher the scent profile you're after. Citrus Notes : Lemon, mandarin, bergamot
: Lemon, mandarin, bergamot Woody Notes : Cedarwood, sandalwood, oud, vetiver, guaiac wood
: Cedarwood, sandalwood, oud, vetiver, guaiac wood Green Notes : Maté tea, galbanum, blackcurrant buds, violet leaf
: Maté tea, galbanum, blackcurrant buds, violet leaf Ambrée Notes : Vanilla, tonka bean, myrrh, frankincense, labdanum
: Vanilla, tonka bean, myrrh, frankincense, labdanum Spicy Notes: Cinnamon, saffron, clove, cardamom, pink pepper, ginger
Are spring floral fragrances different from summer floral fragrances?
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Spring and summer florals offer different scent experiences, though they're versatile enough to be worn interchangeably in either season—simply pick your mood.
'Spring florals are delicate, fresh, and airy,' says Nwasike. 'Common flowers include lily of the valley, peony, and iris. These scents evoke a youthful, light-hearted feeling — like a garden just beginning to bloom.' On the hand, Nwasike says summer florals are 'brighter, bolder, and often have a rich, lush quality.' 'They're frequently paired with fruity or tropical notes, creating a sun-drenched, radiant effect on the skin. Key blooms include ylang-ylang, frangipani, and tuberose.'
What are the different types of florals?
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Nwasike reminds us that florals are by no means one size fits all in nature. 'The floral family is the largest and most diverse olfactory group,' she explains. Below, Nwasike breaks down the core floral subcategories: Fresh Florals : Lily of the valley, hyacinth, narcissus, freesia
: Lily of the valley, hyacinth, narcissus, freesia Cool Florals : Rose, geranium
: Rose, geranium Spicy Florals : Carnation, immortelle
: Carnation, immortelle Powdery Florals : Violet, heliotrope, mimosa, iris
: Violet, heliotrope, mimosa, iris White Florals: Jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, magnolia
Meet the Experts
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LargeChevron Linda G. Levy is president of The Fragrance Foundation.
Eudora Nwasike is a certified fragrance specialist by The Fragrance Foundation UK and featured in Forbes, The Business of Fashion, Mr. Porter, and more.
Autumne West is the beauty director at Nordstrom.
Article originally published on Vogue US
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